Cotton-picking apparatus



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COTTON-PICKING APPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet '7 Origihal Filed Jan. 25, 1944 m vwroe Jan. 20, 1953 P. w. SPELL COTTON-PICKING APPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed Jan.. 25, 1944 INVENTOI? Pzmv M805 JamZO, 1953 P. w. SPELL COTTON-PICKING APPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed Jam 25, 1944 QVN Patented Jan. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COTTON-PICKING APPARATUS Perry W. Spell, Roseboro, N. 0.

Original application January 25, 1944, Serial No. 519,656. Divided and this application May 9, 1949, Serial No. 92,158

22 Claims. 1

This invention relates to cotton picking and cleaning apparatus.

It has been proposed to pick cotton from cotton plants by introducing into the plants sets of parallel horizontal rotating spindles which, as they contact the bolls, will wind the fibers of the cotton on the spindles and thus gather the cotton from the bolls. These machines have been reasonably successful so far as the actual picking of 'the cotton is concerned, but the subsequent gathering of the cotton from the spindles and the cleaning of the gathered cotton is accomplished only with substantial difficulty.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a cotton picking apparatus wherein the actual picking of the cotton from the plants is accomplished by bringing rotating spindles into contact with the cotton in the bolls, and to provide novel means for readily removing and recovering the cotton from the spindles together with means for cleaning the gathered cotton.

The present application is a division of prior copending application Serial Number 519,656 filed January 25, 1944, and which has since issued as United States Patent Number 2,471,842, May 31, 1949.

A further object is to provide novel means for gathering the cotton removed from the spindles, all of the cotton removed from the spindles being progressively removed to a single discharge point to be collected in a suitable receptacle.

A further object is to accomplish the removal of the cotton from the spindles by generating a flow of air along the spindles toward the free ends thereof by means of vacuum ducts having nozzles adjacent a path of travel of the free ends of the spindles remote from the plants, and to provide novel means associated with the ducts for catching the cotton and moving it away from the influence of the ducts and associated elements to facilitate the gathering of the cotton.

A further object is to provide novel means for mechanically engaging the gathered cotton and then effecting a flow of air through the cotton to remove a substantial proportion of foreign material from the cotton, after which the relatively clean cotton is conveyed to a receptacle to be collected.

flow of air to convey it to a collecting receptacle.

A further object is to provide a cotton picking apparatus of the character referred to wherein the vehicle carries two complete cotton picking units, and to so construct the vehicle as to provide for the adjustment of the units toward and away from each other in accordance with varying distances between rows of cotton plants.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein all of the supporting wheels of the vehicle are positively driven from a single source of power regardless of the adjusted distance between the picking units.

A further object is to provide a novel steering mechanism for the wheels of the vehicle adjacent one end thereof, and to construct such steering mechanism as to provide for the adjustment of the picking units toward and away from each other.

Further objects and advantages of the invention, and other new and useful features in the construction, arrangement and general combination of parts thereof will be readily apparent as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, in which like reference characters designate like parts through.- out, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus, the casing and other elements being omitted to show the various driving connections and other parts, the vacuum manifolds being shown in section;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, parts being broken away.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view on line 1-! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a similar view on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a similar view on line |0-lll of Fig. 7, parts being shown in elevation. Y

Fig. 11 is a similar view on line Illl of Fig. '7;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged horizontal sectional View on line l2l2 of Fig. '7, parts being broken away.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line I3-i3 of Fig. 3, parts being shown in elevation and parts being broken away;

Fig. 14 is an underside detail perspective View 3 of a portion of the endless collecting screen mechanism;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the same taken on line |5|5 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view on line I 6|6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 1-7 is an enlarged sectional view through the cotton engaging "and holding means taken substantially on the line of Fig. 2, parts being broken away; I

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the same, the beginning and end portions of the operating cam for the gripping elements being shown-in dotted lines; and

Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional View showing the adjusting 'meansfor the steering mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2. the numeral l designates the vehicle as a whole which carries and forms a part of the present invention. This vehicle is supported by pairs of dirigible front wheels II, adapted to 'be'steered in a manner to be described, and the rea end of the apparatus is supported by similar sets of wheels l2. The present apparatus comprises two cotton picking units generally designated respectively by the numerals l3 and M in Fig. 1 of the drawings. As will become apparent, these units simultaneously pick cotton from two rows of plants, the apparatus straddling one row of plants during the picking of the two rows on opposite sides thereof.

Means are provided for connecting the units I3 and M to each other and to provide for the adjustment of these units within reasonable limits to accommodate the apparatus to relatively slight difference in the spacing of the rows of cotton plants. At spaced points from front to back of the apparatus a plurality of transverse structural members l6 (Figs. 2 and 3) are slidably connected to similar structural elements I! extending across the two picking units, the elements and'l'l preferably being chanmailed in cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 2 with the channels 16 extending within the respective channels Means to be described later is employed for 'eifecting movement of the units l3 and M toward and away from each other. V

A relatively heavy plate '20 extends longitudinally of the apparatus across the tops of thest'r'uctural member 16 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner. The longitudinal edgeportions of the plate 20 are offset upwardly as at 2| (Fig. 3) to overhang and provide space for movement of the channel members 11.

Parallel longitudinally extending frame "members 22 are secured to the longitudinal edge portions of the pIate'ZU. The frame members 22 support an internal combustion engine 23 which supplies power to propel the vehicle over the ground and to drive the various parts of the apparatus to be described. The various driving connections from the motor will be described later.

The-picking units l3 and M are duplicates of each other and accordingly only one need be described in detail. Each unit comprises inner and outer wal1s25 and 26 respectively (Fig. 3), a front wall 21 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) and a rear wall '29. The front wall 21 is provided with an opening3'0 (Figs. 1 and 2) through which the cotton plants are adapted to enter as the ap- "pa'ratusmoves over the ground. The front walls of the two units 'lie'behi-nd a front wall 3| for the eefiter'dr the apparatus, and this wall is apparatus and also is provided with an opening 32. The walls 3| and 33 respectively overlap the front and rear walls 21 and 29 of the picking units, as shown in Fig. 4, to allow for the lateral adjustment of the units relative to each other, and the walls 3| and 33 may be connected to the ends of the plate 2| (Fig. 3) by any suitable means which need not be illustrated in detail.

Each of the units l3 and |4 also is provided with bottom wall elements 35 (Figs. 2 and 3) and the bottom wall elements of each unit'have their inner edges spaced as at 36 for the movement of successive cotton stalks through each unit. As a part of the channelframe structure of each picking unit angle iron or similar structural elements 31 (Fig. 3) may extend from front to back of the apparatus to brace the bottom wall elements 35. Additional angle brace elements 38 also may be provided for this purpose in view of the load carried by the elements 35, as will become apparent.

Each of the picking units is provided with a plate 42 supported by and secured to the structural elements IT. The various driving elements for the picking units are supported by such plate as will become apparent. Adjacent its forward end each unit is provided with spaced vertical shafts t3 the lower ends of which are supported in bearings M (Fig. 2) carried by the plate 35, and the upper ends of which rotate in bearings 45 carried by the plate 52. Each of these shafts carries upper and lower sprockets 46 and 41 respectively. Similarly, each unit is provided with spaced vertical shafts 50 (Figs. 2 and 3) and each of these shafts carries upper and lower sprockets 5| and'52 respectively. The lower end of each shaft '50 is supported in a bearing 53, similar to the bearings 44 and likewise supported by the plate 35. Each shaft 50 extends upwardly through the plate '42 and is rotatable in'a bearing 54 carried by the plate 42. Each shaft 58 of each picking unit is driven in a manner to be described.

A chain 58 passes around each sprocket 46 and its corresponding rear sprocket 5| (Figs. 2, 6 and '7) and a similar lower chain 55) passes around each lower sprocket ll and its corresponding rear sprocket 52. The picking mechanism associated with each pair of chains 58 and 59 of each unit are identical with each other and only one such mechanism need be described in detail. Referring to Figs. 6 and 11, it will be noted that certain of the filler links of the chains 58 and 59are provided with outstanding lugs 60 and each of these lugs has secured against opposite sides thereof the ends 6| of brake bands 62. The opposite ends 63 of these bands may be contracted by a bolt 64 to vary the braking action for a purpose to be described.

A plurality of vertical tubes 68 (Fig. "7) extend between the chains 58 and 59, these tubes being vertically arranged and each corresponding in position to an upper and lower brake device as just described. Each tube "68 "carries ahead 69 at each end thereof, and each of these heads is annularly grooved as at I9 to receive one set of the brake bands 62. The arrangement of these brake bands in the grooves described provides means for supporting the tubes 68 relative to the chains, and at the same time provides means for resisting turning movement of the tubes. The purpose of this arrangement will be referred to later.

Each of the tubes 68 is formed of longitudinal complementary sections 'II and I2 as shown in Fig. 10. The heads 59 form bearings to rotatably support a screw I3 arranged axially of each tube 68 and provided at its upper end with a sprocket 14 (Figs. 6 and 7). Each of the tube sections 12 is provided-with bearing elements I5 rotatably supporting a picker spindle II, the latter having one end projecting through a pair of the bearing elements I6 as shown in Fig. and carrying a worm 18 between such bearing elements meshing with the screw I3. It is obvious, therefore, that each picker spindle 17 will be rotated by one of the worms, the picker spindles being arranged in groups of a substantial number each, horizontally arranged and slightly spaced from each other as shown in Fig. '7. The spindles II perform the actual picking operation and may be suitably roughened as at I9 to more effectively engage the cotton in the bolls whereby the cotton may be wound on the spindles and thus pulled from the bolls. It will become apparent later that the chains 59 and 59 are driven at such speed that the net speed of movement of the picker spindles relatively rearwardly of the apparatus in the operative runs of the chains is approximately equal to the speed of movement of the vehicle over the ground, but relatively in the opposite direction, so that the spindles do not move to break down or damage the stalks of the cotton plants. During such operation, the picker spindles I? are constantly rotated to effect the picking of the cotton from the plants.

While the net speed of movement of the spindles 11 in their operative path of travel approximately equals the speed of movement of the vehicle, a more efficient picking operation can be accomplished by causing the spindles to travel alternately faster and slower than the speed of the vehicle to thus play back and forth between the plants to insure contact of the spindles with the cotton bolls. Otherwise, a vertical row of spindles might enter a row of plants, in a manner to be described, centrally between a pair of plants without being brought into substantial contact therewith. The means for alternately accelerating and retarding the speed of bodily .movement of the spindles is shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9. Each shaft 50 is provided adjacent its upper end with a gear 82 (Figs. 2, 3, '7 and 8), the gear 82 being fixed to the shaft 59. Above the gear 92, a collar 83 (Fig. 9) is fixed to the shaft 59 and carries outwardly spring pressed pawls 84 engageable with ratchet teeth 85 formed within a sleeve 86 which is freely rotatable relative to the shaft 50.

A transversely extending shaft 81 is provided for driving the two picker mechanism of each picking unit. This shaft is supported by suitable bearings 88 which may be carried by a horizontal partition 89 spaced above and parallel to the plate 42. The shaft 81 of each picking unit is driven from the motor 23 in a manner to be described. Each end of the shaft 81 of each Lpicking unit is providedwith identical means for 315 driving the shafts 50 of the associated picking units. Accordingly only one such means need be described. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the shaft 81 is provided with a bevel pinion92 meshing with a bevel pinion 93 carried by the sleeve 86. The pinion 92 is fixed to the shaft 8'! and thus constantly drives the pinion 93, but the sleeve 89 is free to rotate in one direction relative tothe shaft 50 and accordingly the sleeve is not constantly driven by the shaft 81.

The shaft 81 carries a substantially larger mutilated bevel gear 94 having sets of teeth 95, and the ends of these sets of teeth are separated from each otheras at 96. The teeth 95 engage the bevel gear 82 as shown in Figs. '7 and 8. It will be obvious that the spacing of the sets of teeth 95 provides means for successively driving and releasing the gear 82. The. driving ratio between the gear 94 and gear 82 being substantially greater than the driving ratio between the pinions 92 and 86, it will be apparent that when the teeth 95 engage the gear 82 the shaft 59 will be positively driven at a speed greater than the rotational speed of the gear 93. During such periods, the pawls 84 (Fig. 9) will escape over the ratchet teeth 85. After each set of teeth 95 passes out of engagement with the gear 82, the pawls 84 will be engaged by the teeth to drive the shaft 50. The rotational speed of the shaft 50 under the latter condition will be such that the spindles H in their operative paths of travel will move relatively rearwardly of the apparatus at a speed somewhat less than the speed of movement of the vehicle over the ground. When the shaft 50 is driven by the teeth 95, the movement of the spindles 'I'I relatively rearwardly will be slightly greater than the speed of movement of the vehicle. Thus, while the net rearward speed of the spindles equals the forward constant speed of the vehicle, the spindles will be moving alternately faster and slower, and thus will play back and forth between the cotton plants of the associated row.

It will be apparent that the chains 58 and 59 cause the tubes 58, spindles TI and associated elements to partake of bodily movement in accordance with the paths defined by the chains. One run of the chains moves rearwardly relative to the vehicle at the side of the picking mechanism adjacent the picking mechanism of the corresponding unit, and this is the operative run of the chains. These runs of course will be adjacent the row of plants as will be obvious from an examination of Fig. 3. Remote from the cotton plants, the chains partake of a return or inoperative run. During the operative runs of the chains the spindles TI are rotated in one direction to gather cotton from the bolls of the plants, while in the inoperative runs of the chains cotton is removed from the spindles in a manner to be described and such removal is facilitated by oppositely rotating the spindles.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6 and '7, the numeral I99 designates a shaft associated with each picking mechanism of each unit and journalled in a bearing I9I carried by the plate 42. This shaft is driven from the power source 23 in a manner to be described. The shaft I00 carries a sprocket I62 (Fig. 6) around which passes a chain I93 and this chain engages the sprockets I4 at the operative side of the chain 58. The other end of the chain I93 of each picker unit passes around a sprocket I64 mounted on a shaft racemes 9M5 'journall'ed in a bearing I06 :carried by the plate .42. Thisxmechanism will drive all of the a sprocket II2 about which passes a chain H3,

and this "chain engages a substantial number of the sprockets I4 associated with the return runs of the chains '58and'59. The'chainpasses'around a .sprocketIM carried byra shaft II5 also suitably supported by the plate 62. The :shafts I00 and II!) are driven in the same direction but their respective chains engage relatively oppo- Jsite sides of the sprockets I4, and accordingly the chains I03 and IISrotate their associated shafts I3, andconsequentlythe spindles IT, in

opposite directions.

It is desirable to feather the spindles 11 :into the cotton plants at :the points where the spindles enter the row at the forward end of the apparatus, that is, at .the left hand end of the structure shown in Fig. 6. It is similarly desirable to move the spindles out of the row .of plants in the same manner to prevent striking against the plants and damaging them. At the same time it is desirable that the spindles in the operative runs of the chains extend perpendicularto the row of plants being worked, and that the spindles be swung at an angle in the return runs of the chains to minimize the space required for the ends of the spindles in the return runs of the chains. Such arrangement permits using casing walls 2 6 close enough to the center of each picking unit to avoid interfering with the next adjacent rows on opposite sides of the apparatus.

Mechanism for the purpose stated is shown in Figs. 3 and 12, and particularly in Fig. 12. Adjacent the rear or right hand end of the operative runs of the chains is arranged a cam I I8 (Fig. 12) having its entrance end slightly curved outwardly as at 'I I9. This cam is carried by bracket elements I28 secured against the bottom plates of each picker mechanism. The cam I I8 engages a roller I2I carried by an arm I22 fixed to and projecting from the lower head 69 of each ofthe tubes 68 (Fig. 7). The cam I i8 is so designed that when each arm I 22 reaches aposition in .aline- "rotation to the associated tube 68. The successive arms I22 will move around the rear ends of their paths of travel without changing their perpendicular relation to the row of cotton being worked until they reach approximately the point indicated by the numeral I23 in Fig. 12. At this point the arms I22 will have been turned as far as practicable and the cam I I3 from this point to its discharge end permits the arms I22 to alter their positions more gradually until they reach the angular position indicated by the arm I22 against the lower or discharge end of the cam III; in

Fig. 1-2.

It will be apparent that the turning'movement of the arms 1.22 also swings the spindles II, the spindles .of each .tube 68 being in vertical .alinement with each .otherand with their corresponding arm I22. the spindles move out of the 'row of plants in the manner indicated in Fig. .6. The turning movement of the tubes 68 takes place against the frictional resistance offered by the brake bands 62 (Fig. 11).

From the discharge-end of the cam I I8 of each picking unit, 'the associated elements I22 project at a substantial angle with respect to their original positions, as will be .apparent. These positions aremaintainedthroughout the :return runs of the associated chains-58 and59. Therefore, in the return runs of the chains the "spindles "I'I occupy the parallel angular positions shown at the bottom'of '6, thus minimizing the distance from the axes of the screw shafts 1.3 'to the extremitiesof the spindles "l"? in a direction perpendicular to the direction .of movement of the 'vehicle. This arrangement permits the opposite walls 25 and 26 (Fig. 3) of each picking unit to .be

arranged closer together and thus permit narrower picking units to be employed and avoid striking and breaking the adjacent plants.

As previously stated it is desired to movethe spindles l! into the rows being picked at an angle perpendicular to the rows to avoid any swinging or the spindles as they pass :around the sprockets 6 (Fig. (3) since such operation would cause the spindles to strike againstthe plants and break .or damage them. Referring to'Fig. 12, each arm I22 carries a circular portion I25 and at the side of a such portion oppositethe corresponding arm I22 is formed a series of gear teeth I26 adapted to iesh wi'th'the corresponding teeth I21 carried .by a plate I28 secured as at I29 to the associated bottom plate 35. As the successive tubes 68 pass around the sprocket 46, the teeth I26 will engage the teeth I27 to swing the successive tubes 68 in a clockwise direction until the arm I22 of each successive tube 68 assumes the position indicated by the numeral IE8 at the left hand end of Fig. 12. The'picking spindles ll of such tube will occupy the same angular position.

After the tube 68 has .been moved so that its arm E22 and spindles l'I occupy the position indicated by the numeral I36, movement of the corresponding tube 68 a distance approximately equal to the distance between an adjacent pair ofspindles will bring such tube to the positionindicated by the numeral I 3| in Fig. 12, in which position the arm I22 and spindles I! will be arranged approximately perpendicular to the row of plants from which cotton is being picked. At

such point, the roller I2! associated with the tube 58 being considered will engage a substantially U-shaped cam trackway I32. secured to the associated plate 32 bytbracket elements I33. The cam trackway I32 is so shaped that the spindles 'I'I associated with the rollers I2I passing therethrough will be held perpendicular to the row of plants until the plane of the associated spindles Tlcoincides with theaxis of the shaft 43. At such point each successive roller I2l will be released from the cam trackway I32 and the spindles I! will move in the operative runs of the chains 58 and 53 while remaining perpendicular to the row of cotton plants.

In this connection it will be apparent that the turningmovements of the tubes $8 effected by the gear teeth I25 and I21..and by the cam track- Way 132 will 'takeplace against the resistance of the brake devices shown .in Fig. .11. These brake devices likewise frictionally, but not positively, hold the plane of each set of spindles 11 perpendicular to the row of plants, but substantial contact of the spindles with a plant can turn them against the resistance of their brake devices to whatever extent is necessary to avoid damage to the plants. It will be apparent that such turning movement will always be minor in extent since the net speed of movement of the spindles 11 in the operative runs of the chains rearwardly of the apparatus is equal to the forward speed of the vehicle.

The apparatus is provided adjacent and within each of the walls 25 and 26 (Fig. 3) of each of the picking units with means for removing cotton I from the spindles 11 in the return runs of the chains 58 and 59 while the spindles are rotated by the chains I I3 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation imparted. to the spindles by the chains I63. Referring to Figs. 3, '7 and 13, the numeral I35 designates a vacuum manifold arranged within and against each of the walls 25 and 26. These manifolds are identical and only one need be described in detail. Each manifold I35 is formed of three sections indicated by the brackets I36 in Fig. 13. Each of the sections I36 includes vertical side ducts I31 and I38 and a central duct I39. The side duct I31 extends to the bottom of the section and then laterally as at I46 to communicate With an opening MI. The other side duct I38 extends vertically downwardly as shown at the left hand side of Fig. 13, and then laterally as at I42 to communicatewith a central opening I43 directly above the opening MI. The central duct I39 extends downwardly to terminate above the offset I42 and communicates directly with an opening I44. It will be noted that the openings I4I, I43 and I44 of each section are in vertical alinement with each other. The distance from the top of each opening I44 to the bottom of each opening MI is preferably slightly greater than the distance between the uppermost spindle 11 (Fig. '7) and the lowermost spindle of each set. Means are provided for effecting a rapid exhaust of air from the ducts I31, I38, I39 to cause exhaust air from the interior of the casing of each picking unit, and this operation effects a flow of air along the spindles 11 of each group toward the free ends thereof as the latter pass each set of openings I4I, I43 and I44. This movement of air takes place during the reverse rotation of the spindles as effected by the chains II3 (Fig. 6), such reverse rotation tending to loosen and unwind the picked cotton while the flow of air along the spindles feeds the loose cotton along the spindles and thence to the openings I4I, I43 and I44. The upper end of each manifold I 35 communicates directly with the lower end of a duct I46 (Fig. 3) which tapers to increase in width toward its upper end and is inclined inwardly for a reason to be referred to later. Each duct I46 extends through the plate 69 as shown in Fi 3.

Within the runs of each chain of each picking mechanism is arranged a manifold I59 similar to the manifold I35 and having the openings corresponding to the openings I4I, I43 and I44 facing toward and arranged adjacent the operative runs of the chains 58. Inasmuch as these manifolds are preferably identical with the manifolds I35 they have not been illustrated in detail. The manifolds I50 have their upper ends directly communicating with flared ducts II extending through the partition 89. The function of the vacuum manifolds I59 is to effect a flow Of air away from the free ends of thespindles 11 to assist in pulling the cotton being picked to the spindles 11 and to tend to swing branches of the cotton plants laterally to better assure the contact of the spindles 11 with all of the bolls. Any cotton which may find its way into the manifolds I58 will be collected in the same manner as cotton moving through the manifolds I35, as will become apparent.

Above the partition 89 is arranged a pair of chains I54 passing around sprockets I55 and I56 carried by shafts I51 and I58 (Figs. 2 and 3). These shafts are arranged in horizontal alinement and are journalled in bearings I59. The chains carry therebetween a plurality of cotton gathering frames I69 (Figs. 2, 3 and 14). Each of these frames comprises a frame element I6I which is preferably rectangular and elongated transversely of the apparatus. The frameelements are of such width as to permit each of them to be supported by the pivot pins I62 of alternate pairs of links of the chains I54 as shown in Fig. 14. Each frame element I6I carries a plurality of closely arranged blades I63 (Figs. 14 and 15) these blades being arranged parallel to the long sides of the frame elements I6I. The frames I60 form, in effect, an endless collecting screen through which the cotton cannot pass, without providing any elements to which the cotton can adhere or around which it can become tangled as Would be true of an ordinary wire screen.. The lower runs of the chains I54, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, pass over the partition 89 parallel thereto and just above the upper ends of the flared ducts I46 and I5I. The cotton -moving upwardly through ducts I46 will be gathered on the bottoms of the lower frames I66 as the latter move with the chains I54. Any cotton which should happen to pass upwardly through the ducts I5I will-be similarly gathered by the frames I68.

Above the chains I54 of each gathering unit is formed a housing I65 in which is arranged a large fan I66. The fan I66 has its shaft journalled in a lower bearing I61 having opposite projections I68 (Fig. 4) supported by transverse members I69 anchored at their ends to opposite sides of the housing I65. The shaft of the fan also is supported in a bearing I10 (Fig. 3) carried by the top wall I1I of the housing I65. The fan is driven in a manner to be described.

It will be noted that the top wall I1I of the housing I65 is provided with louvers I12 for the relatively free escape of air upwardly from the apparatus as pumped by the fan. The housing I65 has its opposite sides I13 transversely of the apparatus relatively flat except that it is bulged as at I 14 to receive the diametrically opposite extremities of the fan I66. The bulged portions I14 project beyond the side walls 25 and 26 to provide overhangs for a purpose to be described.

The fan I66 operates to create the vacuum necessary for the functioning of the manifolds I35 and I50 and the ducts I46 and I5I associated therewith. In order to increase the efliciency of the apparatus so far as the vacuum is concerned, by providing for a direct flow of air from the ducts I46 and I5I to the fan I66, a pair of flared ducts I16 is preferably arranged between the runs of the chains I54 and are secured to the side walls 26 by suitable brackets I18. These brackets project between the runs of the chains I54 as shown in Fig.3. Similar flared ducts I88 serve the same purpose with respect to the ducts I5I and are secured to the side walls 26 by rods I86 secured to the side acams'e walls 26. It. will be apparent that except for the break required for the frames I'Gll in the lower runs'of the chains I, the ducts, I5I and I80 are substantial continuations of; each other, and the same. is true of the ducts: I46 and H6;

. The casing I55 is connected to a rearwardly extendingcasing I81 the interior of which is separated from the fan casing by a vertical cross partition I8I except for the projection of the chains I54 and associated elements beneath the lower edge of the partition I8,I". The casing I8! is provided with an. upper wall I82 which slopes downwardly and rearwardly as shown in Fig. 2 to forrna rear wall I82. The casing I8I is likewise provided with. a bottom wall 583 and the casing l8'lxis connected to the main housing portions. of; the apparatus and is braced as at I85 with; respect thereto. The bottom wall I83 is providcdlwith a relatively large opening I35 for a purposeto be. described.

Within the casing Iii-l is arranged a pair of Spaced horizontal shafts I86 and I81 journalled at their ends in bearings I83 arranged adjacent thesi'de walls I13 which extend rearwardly to form the side walls of the casing I8 I The shafts I88 and IS-I are respectively provided with sprockets I90 and IM and spaced chains I92 pass around these sprockets. The chains E92 have alternate links thereof connected as at I93 (Fig. 1'7) to cotton engaging and holding devices I94 which are somewhat similar to the frames I63 previously described and define a second endless screen. Each device I94 comprises a rectangular framef95 similar to the frame ItI, each frame I95 being elongated transversely of the apparatus and each being arranged in close proximity to the next adjacent frame. Each frame I95 includes end. members, I96 (Fig. 18) which carry pairs of cotton engaging and holding members I91 and I98. The members I97 are fixed to the end members I96 while the members I98 are slidable in openings I99 formed in the end members I96 as shown in Fig. I7.

The members I37 and I98 are made from the same: material as the members I63 (Figs. 14 and being relatively wide and thin, and each member I98 is arranged in face to face sliding relationship with its associated member I91. At one side of each frame member the members I98 are connected by a header B and springs 2lll urge-the, members I 98 in one direction for a purposet'o be described. Each member I9! is cut in its lower'edge in saw tooth formation having vertical edges 202 defining cotton engaging and holdingteeth; facing; in one direction. Each member I 88- i's similarly saw toothed, but in the opposite direotion to provide vertical edges 2133 defining cotton engaging and holding teeth facing the respective edges orteeth 202' togrip cotton therebetweenunder the influence of the spring pressure exerted by the springs 20 I The ends of the members I98 opposite the headerZIlB are connected by a similar header 2&5 carrying a Projecting arm 206 on the free end of which is journalled a roller 2M. This roller is engaged by acam trackway- 208 during a portion of the travel of the chains I92 as will be particularly described later.

Any suitable means maybe provided for driving the chains I92; For example, the shafts H8 and rarer each picking unit may be provided with sprockets ZIIl' around which pass a chain 2H. The means for driving the chains I54 will be referred to later.

A vacuum manifold 2I'5 (Figs. 2 and 16) ex- 12 tends transversely of each chamber I8I adjacent and just above the lower runs of the cotton collecting devices I94. The opposite ends of the manifolds 215 are connected to ducts 2H5 extending through the respective walls I and I73. After extending through these walls the ducts 2 I 6 turn upwardly as at 2 IT, and then forwardly as at 2I8' (Figs. 2, 3 and 4). At their forward ends, the ducts 2 I8 turn upwardly and communicate with the chamber beneath the fan I55 but extending through the overhang provided by the bulged wall Il l. Accordingly the opposite peripheral portions of the fan I66 will be effective for exhausting air from the manifold 255 to maintain a partial vacuum therein, and this manifold is provided in its bottom Wall with openings 22% (Fig. 2) adjacent the tops of the lower runs of the cotton collecting devices I9 3.

Each cotton picking init' is provided with a duct 22I (Figs. 2 and 16) overlying the bottom wall I83 of the chamber Isl and having its forward end overlying the partition 39. The rear end of the duct 22! has its top side open as at 22 2- beneath the bottom runs of the cotton collecting devices led and opposite the manifold 2I5. The forward end of the duct 22% has its top open as at 223 adjacent the right hand extremity of the lower runs of the cotton collecting members I69. A partition 222' extends vertically between the upper and lower runs of the cotton collecting members I65 and above the upper run of these collectors a horizontal partition 223' extends forwardly from the wall ISI. The partitions 222 and 223 are spaced apart only sumci'ently for the passage of the successive members Ifiil therebetween to block off the chamber to the right of the partition 222 from the partial vacuum created beneath the fan I55. The side walls 28 and 2'! of the unit are provided with air openings 224 for the flow of air into the chamber' referred to, thus insuring a passage of air downwardly through the collecting members over the duct opening 223. Thus the cotton collected against the members I859 will be forced into and through the duct 22L The cotton moving through and from the rear end of the duct 22I will collect against the collecting devices I94 as these devices successively pass beneath the manifold 2I5.

It is during the movement of the collecting devices lt i beneath the manifold 2i5 that the gripping edges 2d2 and 293 (Fig. 17) are brought into play; As such point is approached, the roller 29! of' each cotton collecting device will move from the discharge end 225 (Fig. 18) of the cam 258, thus releasing the slidable members I98 to be moved toward the left as viewed in Fig. 17 by the springs ZEJI. The cotton moving against the bottoms of the cotton collecting devices will have portions thereof gripped between the edges 292 and 203 and the cotton will be held in position against the gripping devices until the cam 2518 again moves the slidable elements I98 to a released position, as will be described.

With cotton held by the collecting devices as they move toward the right in Fig. 2 from beneath the manifold 2I5, such devices and the cotton held thereby will pass beneath a manifold 230 (Fig. 2) extending transversely between the upper and lower runs of the chains !92 and having openings MI in the bottom thereof adjacent the lower engaging devices I9 3 by which the cotton is being held. One end of each manifold 239 communicates with a vertical duct 232 (Figs. 2" and 4-) and this duct directly communigame- 13 cates with a top duct 233 arranged on and extending over the top wall I82 of the chamber I8I and the top wall I1I of the fan housing. The ducts 233 of the two picking units extend inwardly across the top walls referred to at angles as shown inFig. 1 and communicate with the pressure side of the fan housing I55 through openings 234 (Fig. 3). Accordingly the fan will pump air through the ducts 233 and 232 and this air will be discharged downwardly through the manifolds 230 of the two units. This discharged air is forced downwardly through the cotton being carried by the devices I94 and is discharged through openings I85. The purpose of this flow of air is to remove sticks, leaves and other foreign matter from the cotton.

A horizontal partition 238 is arranged between the upper and lower runs of the chains I52 (Fig. 2) above the manifolds 2 I5 and 238 and a vertical partition 239 extends downwardly between these two manifolds to prevent them from interfering with each other in their operations. Above the partition 233 is arranged a horizontal manifold 245 extending transversely of each picking unit as shown in Fig. 16. The manifold 24% has one end connected to a vertical duct 2M tapped into the associated duct 233 so that air also flows into the manifold 24:]. The top of this manifold is provided with openings 242 having louvers 243 inclined upwardly at an angle toward the center of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 16.

Each wall I65 (Figs. 4 and 16) is provided with a discharge opening 243 for the discharge of cotton from the upper engaging members Iii-t. In this connection it will be noted that the cam 208 has its entrance end 241 arranged at the approach side of the manifold 24?! and opening 246 to engage the roller 251 of each successive device I94 to pull the slidable elements I98 to the cotton releasing position against the tension of the springs 22! as each device I84 comes to a position between the manifold 240 and opening 245. The air flowing upwardly through openbugs 242, therefore, will blow the released cotton upwardly and toward the center of the apparatus for discharge through the openings 24E of the two units. Each unit preferably has spaced partitions 246' (Figs. 2, 4 and 16) to confine the cotton for movement to the openings 246.

The top walls I82 of the chambers I8I support a cover plate 255 covering the space 25I between the walls I13. The cover plate 250 may be secured at one side of the top wall I82 of one of the picking units and may be slidable in guides 252 (Fig. 2) carried by the top wall I32 of the other unit so as to allow for relative movement of the units toward each other. The cover plate 252 prevents cotton from being blown out of the top of the space 25L A relatively long basket 253 is arranged in the space 25I and is supported on flanges 254 carried by the walls I65. The basket 253 is of substantial length as shown in Fig. 4, the front and rear ends of the basket extending substantially beyond the front and rear limits of the openings 245 to prevent cotton blown through the openings 245 from dropping beyond the ends of the basket. While the sides of the basket have been shown in Figs. 4 and 16 as lying I against the walls I55, it will be understood that the two picking units are shown in the drawings in the adjusted positions in which they are closest together, and accordingly the two units are readily adjustable with respect to each other. The basket 253 is preferably of a width equal to the minimumdistance between the wens I65 of the two picking units.

The members I6 and I1 (Figs. 2 and 3) form means intermediate the height of the apparatus for connecting the two units for movement toward and away from each other. It is also preferred that some similar slidable connection be provided across the top of the apparatus to afford stability in the adjusting operation. For this purpose each casing I65 is provided with channeled structural elements 255 spaced from each other as shown in Fig. 2. The corresponding members 255 of the two units are connected by a slidable structural element 256, similar to the member I5 which slides relative to the elements I1.

As previously stated, the motor 23 drives all of the operating parts of the mechanism and also propels the vehicle over the ground. All of the supporting wheels of the vehicle are positively driven and the drive means directly associated with the various pairs of wheels are identical and only one such means need be described in detail. Each pair of wheels II and I2 is'fixed to a shaft 260 (Fig. 1) and this shaft carries a bevel gear 26I meshing with a similar gear 252. The rotation of each gear 252, therefore, rotates one pair of the wheels II or I2. The front wheels II are carried by forks 2 63 fixed to the lower ends of the tubular members 264. These tubular members are slidable in bearings 265 for a purpose to be described. The rear wheels I2 are similarly rotatably supported by forks 266 fixed to the lower ends of sleeves 261. Such sleeves are mounted in the ends of bracket members 258 but are fixed against sliding movement with respect thereto. In order to secure the bracket members 263 to the sleeves 261, the bracket members may have their perpendicular portions split and clamped about the sleeves 251 by bolts 259.

The motor 23 may be provided with a clutch and transmission housing 212, as shown in Fig. 5. This housing contains a conventional clutch (not shown) operative by a pedal 213, and any desired type of transmission (not shown) within the housing 212 is operable by a gear shift lever 214. The elements referred to control the transmission of power from the engine 23 to a drive shaft 215, and this shaft may be provided with a suitable brake 216. At the rear end of the apparatus is arranged a differential 211 which delivers power in the usual way to oppositely extending shafts 218. Each of these shafts, in turn, is cone nected to a shaft 219 by means of a clip joint 283 which permits the shafts 219 to be moved endwise relative to the shaft 218 to provide for adjustments of the picking units toward and away from each other. The shaft 215 is sup-ported in bearings 28I carried by theengine supports 22, while the shafts 218 are supported by bearings 282 carried by the rear ends of the lower casings of the two picking units.

The bevel gear 252 of each pair of rear wheels I2 is carried by the lower end of a shaft 285 (Figs. 2 and 5) and the upper end of each shaft 285 carries a bevel gear 285 meshing with a similar gear 281 carried by the adjacent end of the corresponding shaft 219. Thus the pairs of rear wheels I2 are driven from the engine and each set is permitted to rotate at different speeds by the normal operation of the diiferential 211.

The forward end of the shaft 215 also carries a differential 2% (Figs. 1 and 5) and this differential has opposite output shafts 29I each of armies whiclris; connected; bya universal joint 292 to a sleeve 293 having splined connection with a shaft ;:S4-to accommodate. the shaft referred to, to adjustments of v the picking units toward and away from each other. Each shaft 293isconnected bya. universal joint 235 to a shaft 296 carrying a bevel gear 291 meshingwith a similar gear 238; on the upper end. of a shaft 239 which carries the; bevel'gear- 25-2. The gears 291 and 233 are arranged in a housing 333 which has been omitted in Fig. 5 to show the gears referred to in. solid lines. The housing 333 is provided with an integral bracket portion 3M to brace the. shaft 233 with respect. to the corresponding tubular member 2-34.

As previously stated, the tubular members 254- are, vertically slidable in their bearings 2 35. A pivot connection 3.35 is provided between each sleeve234 and a fork 333 carried by a shaft 331. Integral ali ned sleeve members 338 (Fig. i) re-.. ceive; the respective shafts 331 and have splined connection therewith to permit adjustment of the picking units as stated. The adjacent ends of thesleeves 338 are integral with a flattened bearing portion 389 through which extends aking pin 3I:El to rigidly connect the sleeves 338 to the body of the vehicle. The elements 381 and 338 constitute a lever which provides downward movement of one pair of wheels II while the other pair partakes of upward movement, thus permitting the wheels of the vehicle to accommodate themselves to uneven surfaces over which the apparatus passes.

The vehicle is adapted to be steered by turning a conventional steering wheel 3I5 mounted forwardly of a forward drivers seat 3l3 (Fig. l) and connected to a conventional steering column 3J1. The latter, in turn, operates through a conventional worm and gear or other conventional steering connection 313 which operates torock a; shaft 3I9 to'swing an arm 323. This arm is provided at its lower end. with a fork 32I (Figs. 1. and 2) slotted to receive trunnions 322 carried by a tie rod, 323. This rod has opposite ends slidable in sleeves 32A and each of these sleeves carries. a preferably integral alined extension 325 having a conventional ball and socket connection. 323 with an arm 321 carried by the associated. sleeve 233.

One of. the sleeves 324 and the elements associated therewith are shown in Fig. 19. The tie rod 323 has the top of the portion thereof. arrangedin the sleeve notched as at 333 to receive a. sliding pin 33.1 by means of which. the rod 323. and sleeve. 323v may be locked together- The locking pin 331 is connected. by a link 332 with one. end of a lever 333 pivoted intermediate its ends to a boss 333 carried by the sleeve 324. The opposite end of the lever 3.33 has a downturned finger 335 engageable between lugs 336 carried by and projecting outwardly from the casing wall 21. A suitable Bowden wire 33.1: (Figs. 1 and 19) connects one end of each lever 333 with anoperating handle 3.38. by means of which the operator can. swing the levers 333. When this lever is in the position shown in Fig. 19 the elements 323, 324 and 325 are locked together to move as a unit when the steering Wheel 3I5 is turned, to thus turn the front wheels II to steer the vehicle. When the lever 333 is swung in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 19, the pin 331 will be released from the notches 339 and the finger 335 will engage between the lugs 336 to lock. the corresponding sleeve 32. 1v against movement. This operation is; performed to disconnect the; steering wheel 3J5 from ..the wheels. II. during adjustment of thepicking. units I3 and I3 toward or away from each. other. When these units have been suitably adjusted the levers 333 are returned to the normal position shown in Fig. 19 to permit the steering of the wheels.

The chains 58,, 59, I03 and II3 derive their driving power from the rear shafts 219 (Fig. 5) by means of a drive shaft 342 associated with each picking unit. The drive means for the elements of each unit being identical, only one need be described in detail. Referring to Fig. 5-, it will be noted that the shaft 342 of each unit is supported in bearings 343 and 3M and is provided at its rear end with a bevel gear 335 meshing with a similar gear 346 carried by the associated shaft 219. At its forward end the shaft 332 carries a. bevel gear 348 meshing witha bevel gear 349- carried by the shaft 81 previously described. The shaft 31. thus will be rotated to drive the chains 58 and 53 by the means previously described and shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9. It will be obvious that each shaft 81 carries the drive means in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 at each end to drive all of the chains 53 and 59 of the corresponding picking unit.

Another shaft 352 is arranged parallel to the shaft 31 and carries a spur gear 333 meshing with a similar gear 353 carried by the shaft 81. As previously stated, the chains I03 and H3 (Figs. 5 and 6) are respectively driven by the shafts I03 and I Ill. Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, it will be noted that the shafts I 30 and II 3 respectively carry bevel gears 355 and 356 and these gears mesh respectively with similar gears 351 and 358 carried by the shaft 352. Accordingly it will be apparent that the chain mechanisms of thepicker mechanisms will be driven by the shaft 352 of each unit from the rear drive shafts 219.

The shaft 81 of each unit is also utilized to drive the corresponding shaft l58 of the cotton gathering mechanism. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that each shaft 81 projects through the duct I46 and wall I13 of each unit and carries a sprocket 360 around which passes a chain 36L The shaft I 58 projects through the same wall and carries a sprocket 362 around which the chain 36I passes. Accordingly the shaft I58 is driven from the shaft 81, and, in turn, drives the shaft I88 and associated elements (Fig. 2) through the chain Each of the fans I 63 is driven-from its associated. rear shaft 219. Referring to Fig. 5 the numeral 355 designates a gear carried by each rear shaft 219 and meshing with a bevel gear 336 (Fig. 2) carried by the lower end of a vertical shaft 361 mounted in bearings 338. The upper end of each slaft 351 carries a gear 339 preferably housed as at 310 and engaging a bevel gear 31I carried by one end of a shaft 312. This shaft is journalled in bearings 313 carried by the top wall I 11 and extends angularly forwardly as shown in Fig. 5. The forward end of each shaft 312 carries a bevel gear 31 preferably housed as at 315 and meshing with. a similar gear 316 mounted on the upper end of the corresponding fan shaft.

Means are provided for positively moving the units I 3 and I 4 toward and away from each other. The forward wall 3| (Fig. 1) and the rear wall 33 (Fig. 5) are each provided with a bearing 380 in which is mounted a shaft 33! fixed against longitudinal movement by collars 382 mounted thereon and engaging each side of the bearing 380. The opposite ends of the shafts 33I are threaded as at 383, the threads on the end of each shaft 17 being reversed with respect to each other. These threaded ends operate through internally threaded sleeves 384 carried by the front walls 21 and rear walls 29.

The front shaft 38l is provided with a bevel gear 385 (Figs. 1 and 5) meshing with a similar gear 3% carried by a shaft 38'! extending from front to back of the apparatus and provided at its rear end with a bevel gear 388 meshing with a similar gear 389 and the rear shaft 381. It will be apparent that the two shafts 38! are thus r simultaneously rotatable and that the operation of the threads 383 in the sleeves 384 will move the picking units [3 and I4 toward and away from each other. Rotational movement of the shafts 38! is provided by means of a wheel 393 carried r by the upper end of a shaft 35 (Fig. 1), and the lower end of the shaft 39! carries a bevel gear 332 meshing with a similar gear 393 carried by the front shaft 38!.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

As previously stated the apparatus is adapted to simultaneously pick cotton from two rows and to bridge over an intervening row during such operation. The purpose of this is to provide a vehicle which will simultaneously pick two rows and still be wider than would be possible if two adjacent rows were picked. In this way the vehicle has much greater stability in operation. As is well known, there is some variation in the distances between rows of farm crops, particularly when. they are hand planted. This variation is not great but it is necessary to compensate for it in order to render the present apparatus practicable.

The first step in the operation of the apparatus, therefore, is to adjust the units I3 and I4 toward or away from each other, if necessary, to ac oommodate the two picking mechanisms to the two rows of cotton to be initially picked. Before entering the rows, the operator may measure the 40 distance between the first and third rows, for ex-. ample, and assuming that adjustment is necessary, the operator will first pull the Bowden wire handle 338 (Fig. 1) to rock the lever 333 (Fig. 19). This operation releases the locking finger 33l from the notch 330 engaged thereby, and will move the finger 335 between the two lugs 336. In this connection it will be noted that the locking finger 335 will be in proper position for such operation when the dirigible front wheels r l l at opposite sides of the vehicle are parallel to each other. The operator will make certain of this parallelism before operating the lever 333 and the latter operation will release the wheels I I from mechanical connection with the rod 323 and will lock each rod 325 to the front wall of the associated picking unit, thus holding the wheels H in parallelism.

In the embodiment of the invention shown two operators are required, one to operate the control elements M5, 338 and 390 (Fig. 1) and the other to operate the control elements 213, 21 i and 2N5 (Fig. 5) When the front wheels have been looked as stated, the rear operator will start the vehicle by conventional operation of the clutch pedal 213 (Fig. 5) and gear shift lever 214. With the vehicle moving slowly over the ground, the front operator will rotate the wheel 390 in one direction, depending upon whether the picking units are to be moved closer together or further apart. P Rotation of the wheel 390 rotates the front shaft 33! (Figs. 1 and 5) through gears 392 and 393, while the back shaft 38! will be simultaneously rotated by the shaft 381 and its gear connections with the shafts 38L Rotation of the shafts 38f 75 18 feeds the screws 383 thereof through the threaded sleeves 384 to move the units [3 and I4 slowly toward or away from each other.

During the adjustment of the units toward and v away from each other it is essential that the front wheels ll be held in parallelism so that they will be in the proper relationship when again mechanically connected to the steering wheel. It is for this reason that the front Wheels are locked during the adjusting operation and the vehicle travels over the ground as the two units l3 and M are adjusted toward and away from each other, all of the supporting wheels of the vehicle gradually side-slipping over the ground. The rows of cotton to be picked will never vary more than one foot in their distances apart, and accordingly the maximum distance of adjustment for each unit would be six inches. This adjustment can readily gradually take place during forward movement of the vehicle over a reasonable distance of travel. After the adjustment as to width of the rows is accomplished, the operator will push downwardly on the handle 338 to restore the normal position of each lever 333 (Fig. 19) to again unlock the wheels II and mechanically connect them to the steering wheel M5. The apparatus is now ready for the picking operation.

The vehicle may be readily driven and steered to place it in proper alinement with the first two rows of cotton to be picked. The vehicle will be driven forwardly with the two rows of cotton entering the opening 30 in the respective walls 2?.

The sprocket 5| of each picking unit is driven through the gearing shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, and the shaft 81 carrying the gears 92 and 9 3 of each unit will be driven from the shaft 3&2 and its bevel gears 348 and 349. The shaft 3 52, in turn, is driven by the shaft 279 through gears 3 :5 and 346. The driving of the sprockets 5! effects bodily movement of the tubes $8 which carry the picker spindles T1. In the operative runs of the chains 58 associated with the sprockets i6 and 5!, that is, at the upper side of the view shown in Fig. 6, the picker spindles Tl will be arranged perpendicular to the length of the row of plants from which cotton is to be picked by such picking unit. The cam mechanism in Fig. 12 functions in the manner previously described to move the spindles 'i'l into the row of plants adjacent the front end of the apparatus in the same perpendicular relationship, and accordingly the spindles do not swing about the axis 43 to strike against the plants. At the ends of the operative runs of the chains 58, the picker spindles if similarly move out of the row of plants by virtue of the operation of the cam M8, for the same reason.

As prevously stated, the net rearward speed of the tubes 68 and spindles Tl rearwardly relative to the vehicle is the same as the forward speed of the vehicle relative to the ground. Therefore, the spindles 17 enter the row between the plants and each vertical row of spindles will remain between the same adjacent pair of plants throughout the rearward travel of the spindles. To insure against a vertical row of spindles entering midway between the plants of an adjacent pair and remaining in such position throughout their rearward relative travel, under which conditions the cotton bolls would not be properly contacted, the gearing shown at the top of Fig. 7 and in Figs. 8 and 9 is employed. This gearing alternately speeds up and slows down the rela- 19 tive rearward travel of the operative spindles i? to cause them to move back and forth between the plants of the adjacent pair between which they operate. The gear 93 is constantly driven at a uniform speed by the gear 92 and when this drive means is operative for rotating the associated sprocket the rearward movement of the operative spindles 11 relative to the vehicle will be slightly slower than the speed of movement of the vehicle over the ground. Such operation takes place when the blank spots 95 of the gear Q4 are opposite the gear 82. Between these points, the gear segments will engage the gear 82 and momentarily drive this gear, and hence the shaft 58 and sprocket 55, at a somewhat greater speed and at such times the speed of movement of the spindles 5? relative to the vehicle will be slightly greater than the speed of movement of the vehicle over the ground. The overrunning clutch shown in Fig. 9 permits this operation to take place, as described. The alternate acceleration and deceleration in the movement of the operating spindles ii causes each vertical row of the latter to move back and forth between the plants of the adjacent pair between which they are arranged, thus insuring greater contact of the spindles T1 with the cotton bolls.

During the operative runs of the spindles H these elements are rotated on their own axes to engage and wind thereon the cotton with which it comes in contact. The chain I63 (Fig. 6) of each picking unit has one run thereof engaging the sprockets M associated with the tubes extending along the operative runs of the chain The chain I93 is operated by the sprocket Hi2 and this sprocket is driven by the associated gear 355. This gear, in turn, is driven by the gear 351 carried by the shaft 352, and the gear 353 on such shaft is driven by the gear 35 on the associatedshaft 86. Thus, as the spindles I? move rearwarclly in their operative runs, the worms I8 thereon will be driven by the screw shaft 73 (Figs. 7 and Thus it will be apparent that in their operative runs the spindles- H move rearwardly relative to the vehicle and play back and, forth between the adjacent plants to insure contact of the spindles with all of the cotton in the bolls of the plants, while the spindles H are being rotated in one direction to wind the cotton thereon.

As the chain 58 of each unit passes around the sprocket 5| (Fig. 6) the cam H3 (Fig. 1;) will cause the spindles H to remain perpendicular to the length of the row of plants in which it has just been operating until the spindles are clear of the plants. Thereafter, the spindles will assume the angular positions shown in Fig. 6 during their return runs to minimize the distance from the centers of the shafts 63 and 5G to the outside wall 26 of the corresponding unit. By this arrangement the overall width of the apparatus is maintained less than the distance between the two rows of plants outwardly of the apparatus.

During the return runs of the chains 58 the spindles I? are rotated in the direction opposite their direction of rotation during the picking operation described. This reverse rotation of the spindles is accomplished by engagement of the sprockets M (Fig. 6) by the chain H3. This chain is driven by the sprocket H2 which is rotated in the opposite direction from the sprocket I00. However, the side of the chain I I3 which engages the sprocket is opposite relatively to the side I03 which engages the sprockets, and these sprockets have opposite sides engaged by the chains 33 and IIS. Thereforethe rotation of the sprockets M by the chain H3 is opposite the direction of rotation of the sprockets imparted by the chain I63. Thus during at least a portion of the return run of the spindles I? of each picking mechanism, these spindles will be reversely rotated with respect to their rotation while picking cotton. This reverse rotation tends to loosen the cotton which has been wound on the spindles, thus greatly facilitating the removal of the cotton.

During the operative runs of the spindles 73 the vacuum manifold I50 (Fig. 3) will create a flow of air transversely of the cotton plants to- Ward the manifold I50, this manifold having openings similar to those shown in Fig. 13. The various branches of the cotton plant extend in all directions radially around the plant and the function of the manifold 159 is "to tend to swing the branches of the cotton plants sufliciently to insure the engagement of the spindles T! with all of the cotton boll's'during the picking operation.

During the return runs of the spindles T! the similar vacuum manifold i35 removes the cotton from the spindles. As stated, the reverse rotation of the spindles ll in their return runs tend to unwind and thus loosen the cotton from the spindles and this makes it quite easy for the manifold openings MI, I53 and l id (Fig. 13) of each manifold 35 to remove the cotton from the spindles. The manifold I35 is subject to a partial vacuum at all'times, and accordingly there is a constant flow of air into the openings IdI, i 23 and I44 and these openings are arranged in close proXimity tothe free ends ofv the spindles in their return runs as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. Thus the cotton loosened and partially unwound by the reverse rotation of the spindles will flow from the ends of the spindles into the openings I41, M3 and Md.

The openings ML. I 33 and IM of each set (Fig. 13) are arranged in vertical alinement to simultaneously effect a fiow of air along all of. the spindles T! of each vertical row. These openings are separately connected to their own ducts I37, I33 and I39, however, to insure a uniform intake of air through the height of each set of openings. All of the ducts I 31, 'I 38 and I39 of each picking mechanismcommuni'cate at their upper ends with one of the ducts I46 and this duct has its extension. I36 arranged between the runs of the chains I54 atthe upper portion of the corresponding picking unit. The upper end of each duct I18 terminates ashort distance below the corresponding fan I which is of substantial capacity and in constantly discharging air from the top of the unit a substantial partial vacuum is maintained below the fan and consequently in the take oii ducts Hi6 and :16 and I5I and N20.

The upper end of each duct I46 is arranged beneath the lower runs of the corresponding chains 554 and terminates just below the corresponding gathering frames I653 (Figs. 3 and 14) defining the collecting screen, as aforesaid. Cotton moving into the openings MI, Hi3 and I44 will flow upwardlythrough the manifolds I36 and ducts I46 and will collect against the bottoms of the bars I63 of the. frames I69 as these bars move progressively across the ducts v I49. The'b'ars I63 being smooth, deep and relatively close together, they permit a free flow of air up- 

